A440 and the tuning exam (was A440=Fork)

Billbrpt@AOL.COM Billbrpt@AOL.COM
Fri, 29 Oct 1999 23:14:53 EDT


In a message dated 10/29/99 7:53:06 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
beckingt@mb.sympatico.ca (Terry Beckingham) writes:

<< This recent thread on the accuracy of tuning forks has made me wonder about
 the scoring of the tuning exam.  >>

Put your mind at ease, Terry, your fears are unfounded.  The Exam 
automatically adjusts itself to your pitch, regardless of how much difference 
there is.  Even if your pitch is at a failing score, this will not affect any 
of your other scores in any way.

You are responsible for having a pitch source which is accurate.  It is the 
very least that may be expected from a professional.  You need to test your 
fork with another Member of your Chapter who has a Sanderson Accu-Tuner 
(SAT).  I would suggest that you keep the fork in a shirt or pants pocket and 
have it there for enough time that its temperature would be stable and 
measure it then.

If it needs calibration, the techniques have been written about recently on 
the List.  Once you get your fork to read "dead on" when it is at the stable 
temperature it would have in one of your clothes pockets, you can be assured 
that it will be accurate enough for the Exam.  At the Exam site, the 
Examiners will check your fork against their source.  If there is a problem, 
the Examiners usually will have something available for you.  The usual 
practice is to have a Sanderson Accu-Fork  (which provides an accurate 
elctronically generated tone) which has been properly calibrated made 
available to the Examinee.

My best wishes for a successful Exam!

Bill Bremmer RPT
Madison, Wisconsin


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